Chinese Calligraphy

by Translated and edited by Youfen Wang. Zhongshi Ouyang, Wen C. Fong, Baolin Cao,

• ISBN13: 9780300121070
• ISBN10: 0300121075
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2008-09-23
• Publisher: Yale University Press

Summary

Chinese calligraphy, with its artistic as well as utilitarian values, has been treasured for its formal beauty for more than three millennia. This lavishly illustrated book brings to English language readers for the first time a full account of calligraphy in China, including its history, theory, and importance in Chinese culture. Representing an unprecedented collaboration among leading Chinese and Western specialists, the book provides a definitive and up-to-date overview of the visual art form most revered in China. The book begins with the premise that the history of Chinese script writing represents the core development of the history of Chinese culture and civilization. Tracing the development of calligraphic criticism from the second century to the twenty-first, the fourteen contributors to the volume offer a well-balanced and readable account of this tradition. With more than 600 illustrations, including examples of extremely rare Chinese calligraphy from all over the world, and an informative prologue by Wen C. Fong, this book will make a welcome addition to the library of every Western reader interested in China and its premiere art form.

Author Biography

Ouyang Zhongshi is professor at Capital Normal University, Beijing, and advisor to the Chinese Calligraphers’ Association. Wen C. Fong is chair and professor at the Center for Advanced Study of Tsinghua University and professor emeritus in the Department of Art and Archaeology of Princeton University.

Table of Contents

Chronology
Emperors of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties
Map of China
Prologue: Chinese Calligraphy as Presenting the Self	p. 1
Introduction	p. 33
The Evolution and Artistry of Chinese Characters	p. 47
An Ancient Art Shines: Calligraphy from the Shang Through the Han Dynasties	p. 67
Striving for Perfection Amid Social Upheavals: Calligraphy During the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties	p. 133
An Epoch of Eminent Calligraphers: The Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties	p. 139
Self-Expression Versus Ancient Tradition: Calligraphy of the Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties	p. 241
From Domination of the Chancellery Style to Liberation of the Self: Calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty	p. 303
Two Schools of Calligraphy Join Hands: Tiepai and Beipai in the Qing Dynasty	p. 339
Chinese Calligraphy in the Twentieth Century	p. 379
An Overview of Ancient Calligraphic Theories	p. 415
Chinese Calligraphy Meets the West	p. 439
Notes	p. 463
Further Readings	p. 477
List of Contributors	p. 481
Acknowledgments	p. 485
Illustration Credits	p. 489
Index	p. 491
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